Causes and consequences of lipoprotein(a) abnormalities in kidney disease.

Lipoprotein(a) is one of the strongest genetically determined risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and patients with chronic kidney disease have major disturbances in lipoprotein(a) metabolism. Concentrations are increased and are influenced by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the amount of proteinuria. The reason for this elevation can be increased synthesis, as is the case for patients with nephrotic syndrome or those treated by peritoneal dialysis. In hemodialysis patients, a catabolic block is the reason for this elevation. The elevated concentrations might contribute to the tremendous cardiovascular risk in this particular population. In particular, the genetically determined small apolipoprotein(a) isoforms are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular events and total mortality.